i'm going to art school and i have a hell of a wanderlust problem.







Since 12.19.2008

Hey guys!
I DID IT! I MADE IT OUT IN ONE PIECE!! [No cantes victoria, todavía te queda por terminar graphic novel...]

...And now for finals week:


( THE LABS WERE JAMMED! )


Ruben gave me one of his booklets! His campaign was my favorite, so it totally made my day!

The end of the semester was a really overwhelming one. I have never seen CJ 5, 6, 7, or 8 at full capacity at 4 in the morning. The security guards had to open the Academic Center back up, and even that filled up pretty quickly! I think I slept an average of 2-3 hours per day for the past two weeks. On lucky occasions I slept six.

Anyway, enough talk about final... Let's see some finals. This is TAURA, my sustainable brand for the Graphic Design III course. This project literally came together two days ago. I'm impressed with the outcome.


( TAURA PHOTOSHOOT )


A big thanks to Aless and Lindsay! My friends rokk the photoshoots!



I think the F2F booklets came out beautiful. Here's the scope on what they look like:


( F2F BOOKLET SHELL. )

You already know what the insides look like.


I'm so fucking proud of my friends and myself! Good times this semester. Be safe during the holidays! I'm returning to Puerto Rico after tomorrow! The first thing I'm doing is getting myself three margaritas at On the Border. Then I'm going to see The Princess and the Frog with Niki, and then I'm passing out.

xx
-Nica

Look at the two leather pouches that Lindsay helped me make for packaging my necklaces! She did great!




Black pouch with red drawstrings.





Black and red pouch with inverted strings.


:] So happy with them!

Of course, the more puzzling of thoughts come when the semester is winding down. As the work load picks up and everything goes into motion, somehow that always sparks something in me. With the coming of 2010 I close the chapter of my education, at least for now, and I embark on another journey. As I prepare for the corporate world, I start feeling the ground under me more like quicksand. I am not really sure about who I am and what I am about, but I know I'll work really hard to get where I want to go. I have learned to accept my flaws and be more comfortable with them. I have become a bit more detached of the past because I haven't even kept a journal this semester, but I hope to pick back up on that at the start of the year.

As of right now I don't know what I want to be as a graphic designer. Perhaps illustration is not the route that I am meant to take after all, at least not in the way I thought. As fascinating as comics are, I don't think in the way a comic book artist does, with the variation in angles and the transitions from scene to scene. I am more linear, but I really like being able to make my own imagery. Books are definitely the place to go for me, and possibly campaigns. Branding is something that I love to do, so I will definitely be looking more into that. I am excited about Music Branding next semester, and I'll be playing more with 3-D paper models. Why not?





This is my favorite image ever. It's of my friend Tara when she was a little girl.

( THANKSGIVING PICTURES. )

I'm embarking on a new journey! Come May, I'm going to have to either purchase an LJ token to change my name or get a new one. I don't want my digital doppelganger named after stoners.

Wish me luck, please!
xx
-Nica

Guys, I haven't slept for days! I have neglected most of my projects for the sake of the fruition of what I hope to be the next best thing yet! My F2F campaign! There are member cards, iPhone skins and final website comps behind the cut. Please let me know what you think!





( F2F;;TURN OFF THE SCREEN, I'M TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING. )

The web murders the type on the comps, but they are readable when printed out. I am so proud of my campaign after stressing after it for a full semester! Up until now I still need to finish stuff for Graphic Design III, Children's Books, Graphic Novel, and Native American Cultures. :X! Oh my Goddd!


COMING UP:
-Posters
-Official F2F booklet.

Aaah!Classes end next Friday. WISH ME LUCK!


Last but not least, check out this uber sexy song I've been addicted to:






xx
-Nica

so i hope i'm not making a mistake. this goes against my judgment but i jump into it anyway.
think it over, mull it over, be sensitive in speech. my mind goes in circles again and i'm trying to keep up with myself.

i'm missing a comb so i cant dread my hair today, which is silly considering how ive been looking forward to it all this time. fuck! for now i play tonight.

finals weeks, s.o.s. somebody!

I'm ecstatic! Something that I have wanted for a very long time is about to become reality. Those who know me well enough know about my fixation for dread locks ever since I don't know when. Today I was shopping for the final materials for my Graphic Design III project when suddenly I was introduced to bone beads. My eyes widened like two pennies and the smile on my face was even more ridiculous, but I bought a bunch of bone beads to finish my design project.



I spoke with Gyo later on and he agreed to dread my hair on Sunday. Just starting small for right now, thinking of getting one dread lock at the top of the neck or behind one of my ears. I am ectstatic! The beads are so beautiful that I fidget with them all the time, comparing them and trying to figure out which ones will make it to the lock.



I have received mixed reviews on the matter, but one day I hope to have an almost full head of dreads! Except for my bangs, of course...

I'm so happy!!!!
Safe traveling and happy thanksgiving!

xx
-Nica

Sunday, Nov 22nd, 2009 -- You may not be able to shirk your long-term responsibilities, but you can manage your day so you are still able to find the time for pleasure. Give yourself the gift of the present moment, even if the future is encroaching on you, requiring you to come back to unfinished business later on. Try your hand at doing something creative that's not about making money. Express yourself for the sheer fun of it.

My daily horoscope somehow managed to nail my thoughts to a T. I need to make more time for myself and for my personal projects, and I have quite the treat planned and coming up. It will take a big chunk out of my christmas break, but if it can be helped, then I will finish it sometime during the Spring Break. It is an exciting prospect for all you tarot card readers out there to look at, and I promise to give it my best. Sometime around 6:30 AM I came up with the greatest idea for packaging, it really strengthens the concept.

Sorry to be so vague, but I want it to be a surprise until it is well in production.

Wish me luck with my finals and expect a big haul of work coming into my blogs around mid December. Hope all is well with everybody!

xx
-Nica

Today I went to the Sarasota Medieval Fair for the first time, making it the third fair I have ever been to. I had a splendid time exploring walking trees, fairies, pirates (and boy were they awesome!!), nobility, jesters, and jousting knights! The jousting tournament got pretty heated, but the Battle of Hastings was even more heated! All around wonderful time! [It's a shame I didn't purchase a corset!]














I got my tarot cards read today. Whoo boy, some heated stuff is coming up! I am looking forward to the future!


MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM FETIVAL AND THIS WEEK:
FESTIVAL

"I will! I will be the prettiest of the pretty princesses!" - Giacomo the Jester.

"Roses and pickles!" - Sweet and not-so-sweet vendor lady.

Thy- "So now you must place a blessing upon yourself!"
Nica- "Today I will be as happy as a bird with a french fry!"
Thy- "A--- A bird with a french fry?... Right... Ah.. I'll be on my merry way now, about here, no, there... Uhm, good-bye!"
Little boy- Where are you going??
Thy- "A bird with a french fry!" [Cue running off]


WEEK
"Never make somebody a priority if they only consider you an option."

"We should hang like dead people!" - Sarah Munster Graves

ON JUDGMENT DAY:

Solbi- go to hell
Isha- go with her
Nica- not even a question..
Jane- why are you floating there? just go to heaven jeezzz!

Things have been crazy-hectic with me. I was a little sad when Halloween passed by because that was the intended date to start my design blog. Although, looking back, my LJ has been so very dead as well. While I used to document daily happenings, musings, process and romances, it worries me a little bit that I am losing this aspect of myself as well. I am no longer keeping a tight analog journal, I am not sketching or growing in my illustration. I feel stuck on everything other than school work and Castle outings that have been going on.

Yeah.

Today I went to a sushi happy hour with my friend queen_of_nerds and her sister. After the feast we had, it is safe to say I am one happy camper! Tampa rolls are three dollars, and so are Mexican rolls. Can I get a Hell yeah?? I had a wonderful time.



Last weekend I went to see Art and Copy with my friends Jaime and Paul. It was pretty good, but I used most of that time to write quotes and draw in my sketchbook. I need to find the illustrative conceptual side of me again, I feel that course has been lost in the acquisition of new skills. DRAW MORE, DAMNIT!!

I have my eyes set on a guy that makes me smile that smug smile, but I do not think anything will come of it, and it's OK that it won't because I could always use a friend.

On a side note, I am trying to pick up some Hungarian speech. I really like something about it, but I am not quite sure what it is yet. Magyar has no similarities to the romance languages save for the accents over the letters. Be as it may, I find the language to be quite interesting...

I'm curious, does anybody read my entries anymore? I like posting about my work and my personal life, but if this blog is dead, I might just have to start the full on design one. I'd appreciate some feedback!

Jó éstakát kívánok!
xx
-Nica

This picture was just too good for me to pass up. Niki and Shellshock along with Claudio and Chondra on their wedding day. I miss you guys so much, but I'm pretty excited to see you again soon!



Things have gained momentum and I find myself doing the usual schedule juggling dance. I am starting to get that nomadic itch again, but I have no idea about where I will end up after I graduate from college. [Juat!? I am graduating ALREADY?? ... ... ...Sweet.]

Sleeping less than usual and moving about twice as much,
xoxo
-Nica

Today I went to the mail room as soon as I read the e-mail about our registration packets came out. I was a bit scared by the looks of it, since last semester I found myself in a very tight spot with registration. The problem is that I intend on taking the Music Branding (EL 353) class with Prof. Allen Harrison, but it conflicts with the Design Center (GC 491) times.

The story behind this is that I never had openings for Allen's class within the year that the class has being taught, and after many failed attempts to switch out of my Graphic Novel class and into Allen's Music Branding class this semester, I was put on the waiting list by Kim Elam. I genuinely feel that I should be able to take this course, next semester is my last one in the school and I do NOT do well in Motion Graphics classes. I'm definitely much more passionate about print media and illustration. I WANT to take Allen's Music Branding class, I wondered if anything could be done about the times yet. If it is possible, PLEASE let me know who I can e-mail about it!

This semester I took Children's Book Illustration and Graphic Novel, which turned out to be a wonderful outcome in terms of work production. However, it took a LOT of time and effort, more so than other GIC electives I have taken before.

The ideal schedule that I would register for (taking into account the courses that I need to graduate,) would be:

GC 491 : Design Center TWF 8-11
GC 480 : Portfolio MW 3-6
GC 494 : Graphic Design TF 12-3

Changeable:
?? EL 353 Music Branding
CA 345 THUR 1230

It seems my schedule is pretty much set by what Design Center days are. If by the time I register the Graphic Design class is closed, I'm going to have to schedule an appointment to see how to fix it.
This semester has been really difficult to plan around four nights getting out at 9:45, I'm REALLY concerned!

Biting nails,
-Nica

( PICTURES DURING THE COSTUME CONTEST )

The last Halloween at Ringling College of Art and Design proved to be a really good one. Aless, Charli, Carly and I participated in the costume competition/halloween fashion show and got first place! Before the show I was being a worrier, and then I was jumping around all excitedly. It was an amazing feeling that I wish I could have bottled up for keeps. It'd be nice to get a whiff of that essence every time I'm being nervous.

I've had a great time thus far this semester [knocks on wood] and I am really looking forward to the next Halloween, when my blog *hopefully* airs! Back to my sassy self, trying to focus too.

xoxo,
-Nica

Merry Samhain, everyone! Have fun and be safe.








For my Graphic Design III class, I'm tearing up a gorgeous vintage Vogue red leather jacket and turning it into statement jewelry.

I am legal at long last! In t minus approximately two hours, I will be able to go out and buy my own drinks. I will not rely on my friends to get in anywhere, (sorry about that niki!) and I will be much more comfortable with myself. 20 felt like this strange void in which I was neither an adult or a child anymore, and I think perhaps this transition was evident in more than one aspect of my life.

Things are crazy-hectic, today we had a demolishing critique from our professor's husband. It was a little scary.

Mom is in town for a few days, so I am very thrilled to have her as my sidekick. I feel as if I have already celebrated my birthday, but this weekend will be the crowning factor.

Shout out to my sweet eye-patched friend. Thank you.





( Me being a dork. )


♎♥

This is how I feel right now.





Stolen from popthecherry.

Also, some stuff I took over the past week or so:
















I'm turning 21 in exactly one week.

INTRO
F2F (meaning face to face,) is an organization stationed in Sarasota, Florida. It targets teens across Florida and in the tropical island of Puerto Rico and aims to get people to connect directly with one another rather than through the crutches of technology. F2F looks to re-establish traditional socialization skills hindered by developing technology.

MANIFESTO
Trends dictate etiquette, tone, and human behavior in forms of communication. They decide what is cool and socially acceptable. Ever since the invention of the internet in 1989, people have been able to communicate with others around the globe. The world usage of the internet is currently an estimate of6,767,805,208, making it an inevitable influence over our lives.
While these technological gadgets connect millions of people together, they do not advocate for people to cultivate their social skills in person. In times of drastic changes and vast technological improvements, people forget where they come as the mask of technology hovers over them. It is very important to maintain interest in further development of social skills, and F2F aims to achieve it.

These are the building blocks of my Visual Persuasion project so far. Although I've been sketching feverishly for the past two months, now is when I'm finally getting the hang of it. My project changes daily, so expect a very different batch of graphics next time around.




( TALK TO ME. )

Oh, sweet muse, how you toy with me!

"We are two minds too far apart, held hostage by our hearts." ~ Dangerous Muse - Apart

Yesterday afternoon, Jaime and I got together to brainstorm a little for the Speech Bubble show to be held in the spring. My shirt had a screen-printed illustration of a girl pretty much in my style, and we began bouncing ideas off each other before the meeting started. We ended up drawing on the black board, and I made my signature illustrated girl with a few tweaks from Jaime's. He drew something in my style with the same tweaks, and we enjoyed the illustrations for the rest of the meeting. So we left it on the board and went our ways.

This is the drawing:





I came back in today, surprised to find it still there... and appalled at what I saw directly under it. I was in too much shame to take a picture of it, but I erased it faster than a penny falls onto the floor.

Some asshole defaced my illustration and turned it into a personal insult. When I find out who did it, I'm going to unleash some major lectures. You do not disrespect someone in such a way and get away with it.

There are good chances it was just some asshole being quirky, but due to the nature of the drawing, I rather doubt it.

That WASN'T funny.

Pissed off,
-Nica

Much to my surprise, an old flame of mine walked through the door I was sitting by to give the class a demo and thoughful insight. It was an incredible surprise. I took some notes. (As I always do.) [It blows my mind how much people change in two years. Sort of feels like seeing a ghost.]

Notes:

"If you have to explain it verbally, its not good."

"Idling: if your brain is not engaged."

-Make a different portfolio for each company
-Know what they do
-Make work they want to see
-Know their games

Comics are the only medium in which time and space is the same thing.
What do you exaggerate, what do you highling?
What do you not highlight?

Show sketchy thumbs of the character and then a more complete render.


Artists to look into:
bengal
massive black
repin
rick berry
mike hernandez
meignaud veronique
game devnap
2012 forums
kieran yanner
Justin Cherry (Nivbed)
feng zhu
george hull
gino real
hippr
erwin madrid
emmanuel malin
clouds
chris park
charles reid
adam rex
alverto mielgo
charles reid
claire wendling
craig mullins
david levy
eyal shoham
hamsterfly
howard pyle
jeff jones
jeremy enecio
lok jansen
matt gaser
min yum
mitchl cotie
nathan fowkes
netherspere
paul pope
rodolfo damaggio
nick klein
pacman23
patrick jensen
mian situ
matt gaser
matt wilson
mark goerner
laurence alma tadena
edward kinsella
chris appelhns
chris chritlow
andrea wicklund
alex kenesvy
daisuke tsutsumi
ashley wood <3


Today I feel like locking myself up in my room and drawing the hours of the late night away. Luckilly, there will be another mass dosage of art coming my way during ILLEST of ILL.